The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has recently devised the Kharif Strategy 2021 with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils. Kharif Season crops, which are grown from June to July and harvested in September-October include several different types like rice, maize, jowar, and many others. Numerous states such as Assam, West Bengal, and coastal regions of Odisha contribute to this production.
About Kharif Strategy 2021
The Kharif Strategy for 2021 is an ambitious plan that entails the free distribution of high yielding varieties of seeds to farmers in the form of mini-kits. Aiming to enhance both area and productivity, a strategy has been formulated for soybean and groundnut under the National Food Security Mission specifically focusing on Oil Seeds and Oil Palm. These efforts will potentially result in an additional 6.37 lakh hectares area under oilseeds, producing around 120.26 lakh quintals of oilseeds and an estimated 24.36 lakh quintals of edible oil.
Understanding the Crucial Role of Oilseeds
Placing second only to cereals in agricultural economy importance, oilseed crops are crucial. Despite attaining self-sufficiency in oilseeds through the early 1990s’ “Yellow Revolution”, the success was short-lived. Oilseeds, primarily grown to extract vegetable oils, have varying oil content, ranging from 20% in soybeans to 40% in sunflowers and rapeseed.
India boasts favourable environmental conditions that make it the fifth largest global producer of oilseed crops such as castor seed, groundnut, mustard, and more. Despite this, India still remains one of the largest importers of vegetable oils, especially palm oil.
Major Oilseeds Producing Areas in India
India has made a name for itself globally in oilseed production. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh are the major oilseed producing areas in India. After China, India stands as the second largest producer of groundnut and is the third largest producer of Rapeseed after China and Canada.
National Food Security Mission (Oil Seeds and Oil Palm)
The primary objective of this mission is to increase the availability of edible oils and reduce the import of these oils by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds and oil palm.
The National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP) was launched in 2014-15 and continued until 2017-18. From 2018-19 onwards, the NMOOP is being implemented under NFSM and has several subcomponents like NFSM-Oilseeds, NFSM-Oil Palm, and NFSM-Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs).
Funding and Strategy
Multiple strategies are being employed to increase productivity and output, including improving Seed Replacement Ratio (SRR), adopting resilient technologies, supporting cluster demonstrations for adopting good agricultural practices, and creating oilseed hubs for larger seed availability. To fund these initiatives, the cost sharing pattern between Central and State Governments operates at a ratio of 60:40 for general states and 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States whereas some interventions receive full funding from the government.
